Sunday letters: SCE&G doesn’t deserve rate hike

SCE&G’s latest request for a rate increase is nothing short of corporate theft. It has already increased rates more than 27 percent since 2009. Why should those of us forced to use its electrical power pay for its new reactor? Shareholders should pay to improve their investment.

I also don’t understand why Columbia customers must pay a franchise fee for the privilege of buying power from a monopoly.

One of the Public Service Commission’s goals is to ensure that “core or captive customers with little market power are not unduly burdened with the costs of competition and are provided appropriate service and service options.” It should not only refuse to grant another increase; it should open the market to competition.

This story was originally published July 25, 2015 at 7:46 PM.